> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Daily Answer Writing GS 2 (Governance 02) - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/daily-answer-writing-gs-2-governance-02/ - Published: 2024-07-31T19:44:31.000Z - Updated: 2024-07-31T19:44:31.000Z - Description: Governance Daily Answer Writing - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing **Subject:** GS 2 **Syllabus:** Governance ### Questions 1. How can we ensure that the bureaucracy functions as a strong support system and makes decisions that prioritise the best interests of the people, aligning with the motto of "minimum government and maximum governance"? (150 Words, 10 Marks) 2. E-governance is an important tool to ensure citizen friendly services in a time bound manner. What are the challenges in e-governance and enumerate a few initiatives taken by the government? (150 words, 10 marks) --- ### Download Model Structures PDF [Daily Answer Writing GS 2 (Governance 02)Daily Answer Writing GS 2 (Governance 02).pdf739 KBdownload-circle](https://www.upscprep.com/content/files/2024/07/Daily-Answer-Writing-GS-2--Governance-02-.pdf "Download") --- ### Model Structures **Q10\. Citizens charter is an instrument of organizational transparency and accountability that ensures the power of people stays above the people in power. Discuss and enumerate the challenges involved in implementing a citizen charter. (150 words)** **10** **Model StructureIntroduction:** - **Citizen’s Charter** is a systematic document underlining the **commitment of an organization** towards its beneficiaries and stakeholders as far as quality of services, choice, accessibility, information availability, cost-effectiveness and grievance redressal are concerned. **Main body:** - It is a tool of organizational **transparency and accountability because**\- - With clear aims of the organisation, it **increases participation**. - It **reduces corruption** by improving transparency. - It reduces cost and red-tape, thus bringing in **good governance**. - It provides better access and choice which means **democratization of services**. - There is constant **improvement in services**. - By this, it ensures that the power **of people stays above** because- - Involvement of all stakeholders in its formulation ensures that the charter meets **desirable standards**. - It is a **deterrent to misadministration** and promotes good governance. - It makes the government **credible**, thus improving social contract. - It is a feedback loop to revamp people’s faith in administration by **grievance redressal**. - It hasn't been effective till now due to **challenges** like- - **Lack of trained staff** and financial resources. - Not formulated by the consultation process and **unavailable in the vernacular** language. - Inertia and **rule-based** stance of officers. - **Inadequate awareness** among people thus low utility even if the charter is present. - **No legal backing** for charter formulation and implementation, thus making it non-enforceable. - **Design issues**, thus critical information missing. - **Rarely updated** with changing times. - It can be further improved by incorporating good aspects of the **Sevottam model** which is based on- - **Empowerment of citizens** by which they can avail information and - **Grievance redressal** with a prompt feedback mechanism. - **Timely service delivery.** ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcRwtnkR2yWYz_AZCv5iM60VSH5P0sGve7rwpS3mJL5KgKSn81JbHghgs4id4Uip6454Iy3MbI-Lz6bufpiDeD-IXyL90lo7TH1r3qCxv-N3t6u3m8eqmOYoPBywPJ1vxaX8N908FLMsLZz0qu2Lrj4gKz3?key=qzT5O-vX3kdA658x75WPxQ) **Conclusion**: - Aims and vision of each section within a department are different and thus need to be **formulated at the smallest level** and then integrated at the highest level, like at the ministerial level. This will **make it holistic**, followed by **periodic evaluation** and grievance redressal. Can include best practices from the Sevottam model to make it more effective. --- **Q6\. Many committees have stressed the importance of the ‘cooling-off’ period for civil servants who quit services for contesting elections or retire normally and then enter politics. In light of this, do you think Civil Service Conduct Rules need a relook? (150 words)** **10** **Model Structure** **Introduction** - Civil servants are **permanent executives** and hold pivotal positions in governance and administration. They are **policymakers at the top level** and implementers at the ground level. **Main body** - To ensure the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, neutrality, professionalism etc and to work without fear or fervour, the concept of **‘cooling off’ period** is there according to which there is a **prohibition on employment** after retirement for a certain period. - The Civil Service Conduct Rules **need a relook** because- - The purpose of ‘cooling off’ was defeated when the period was reduced to **one year in 2015** from the earlier period of 2 years. It applies to group A and All India Services. - There is **central discretion** if someone wants to take up a job within one year of leaving the job. - Eg- when ex-foreign secretary Mr S Jaishankar joined Tata group without serving cooling off period. - Other instances include an **amendment in TRAI Act** to appoint its chairman as principal secretary and current railway minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw quitting as IAS to join politics. - These violations lead to a possible **conflict of interest** and **crony capitalism**. - Civil service conduct **rules can be improved** by- - **Restoring the** mandatory 2-year cooling-off period. - **Removal of exceptions** as it violates the right to equality. - Need to create **distance between policy making and corporate interest**. This must be ensured with a **balance to a former officer's right to contest elections.** - Rules can be made to **bar bureaucrats from contesting elections for one year**, as advised by the Election Commission in 2012. In this context, recommendations of the **Hota committee** called for a cooling-off period of **2 years post-retirement or resignation** if an officer wants to join a political party. Retired civil servants shall not be appointed to constitutional posts like governor before 2 years cooling-off period. **Conclusion** - Cooling off period is a sine qua non for ensuring the **faith of the public in bureaucracy** and ultimately democracy. Certain reforms for cooling off as provided by the **Indian Parliamentary Committee, Hota committee and ARC II** must be looked into and adopted. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/07/Write1y.png) #### Write UnLimited Course (1 Year) Write answers from any source, we will evaluate them for you. [Know More](https://courses.upscprep.com/products/write-unlimited-course-1-year/?ref=upscprep.com)